Will my truck tow safely in the Smokys?
I have a 2017 Silverado with max towing of 6100lbs, it is a 5.3 w/ 3.08. My TT is 5000 lbs dry. My Truck feels strong enough on flat land but I've never taken it anywhere with a real grade. We'd like ...
Forum Discussion
Not sure how much the final drive ratio has an effect on the hill descent assist, with the 3.42 near GVWR and towing a 3,600 pound trailer I can tell you it makes a world of difference, manually selecting the gears isn't nearly as good as leaving it in auto with all the aids turned on and engaged.
The wifes 16' 1500 chevy 5.3 crew cab short bed 3.42 gears and 6 speed tranny 4wd does a much better job of slowing my 10k car hauler down (9k on the trailers axles) with the tranny in manual mode and me selecting the best gear.
Selecting T/H mode locks out the TC clutch longer at different rpm levels so at times depending on rpm/speed there is no grade braking because the clutch is in the unlocked position. This was pointed out to me by another member with a 1500 chevy/6 speed tranny when I mentioned towing my 10k car hauler to muddy worksites.
I also find I can do a better/quicker/smoother job of up and down shifting when towing with her 1500 truck.
Empty truck.....I'm not at all impressed with the slow response with up and down shifting at low rpm levels. GMC and chevy tranny techs both say its a common complaint from many 6L80e owners. Now I will say operating close or at WOT this 6L80e tranny rocks with solid shifts like my old '60s era 4 speed muscle cars had.
My personnel truck is a Dodge/Cummins with the NV5600 6 speed manual tranny and NV4500 5 speeds in a GM 3500 and another 3500 Dodge truck.
I'm with ya' on letting the truck driver select the proper gear while testing the IKE. I see on one of the haulers forums members like to poke fun at how they let the tranny do the thinking while going up...and going down. They call it abusing the equipment.
